The Zambia Cooperative Federation-ZCF says it has concluded discussions with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) concerning the export of maize to the two countries.
ZCF Director General James Chirwa said all that is remaining now is for the two countries to agree to the asking price that the federation has set and process the payment then the maize exports can start.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Chirwa said the demand is over 30, 000 metric tonnes and the federation intends to export between 15, 000 to 20, 000 metric tonnes of maize.
Rwanda and DRC had earlier shown interest in importing maize from Zambia and the federation wants to take advantage of the opportunity to create a market for maize and its products so that the country can earn foreign exchange.
Chirwa noted that all the cooperatives from across the country could take part in the business venture especially those strategically positioned in order to ensure that the farmers realise a decent amount of profit from the venture.
He reiterated that it is important for small-scale farmers to belong to cooperatives, as it is an easier channel to use to do business adding that it is easier to export when the cooperatives put their commodities together.
“We are talking about Rwanda, obviously we cannot go and pick maize from Kasempa to take to Rwanda, it will be a costly venture so we look at the cost of doing that business. We are still waiting for the purchaser to send the payment, we are waiting for a process of payment but we have concluded the discussions”, he said.
